More than 10,000 fines have been handed to drivers across Somerset for misusing disabled parking bays in the last six years.

New data obtained by Evans Halshaw through a Freedom of Information request shows 10,806 penalty charge notices were issued between 2019 and 2024.

The crackdown is part of a wider study into Blue Badge abuse. Of 171 local authorities contacted, 123 responded — including Somerset Council, which confirmed 232 drivers were repeat offenders.

Fines have surged year-on-year:

• 2019: 1,679 fines
• 2020: 1,055 fines
• 2021: 1,333 fines
• 2022: 2,096 fines
• 2023: 2,086 fines
• 2024: 2,557 fines

The 2024 total included more than 1,200 on-street offences and 1,282 in car parks.

High Street in Yeovil was the worst hotspot with 839 fines issued. Other key locations included Hammet Street in Taunton (432) and Abingdon Street in Burnham-on-Sea (348).

Julie Wallman from Evans Halshaw said: "Disabled parking bays exist to ensure safe and accessible travel for people with limited mobility… these figures show just how common this issue is across Somerset and the rest of the UK."

The data will raise fresh questions about enforcement and availability of disabled bays — especially in town centres like Wells, Shepton Mallet and Glastonbury, where parking remains under pressure.

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